Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
At first glance this passage creates a bit of a paradox if we, as Christians, are to fulfill our duty - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20. How can we possibly do as Christ commands if we follow the mandate of our title’s passage?
It does not direct its warning to the preaching the Gospel, but to keeping our hearts from falling into the black hole of secular culture. For us to be ‘yoked’ with unbelievers is to be bridled with them in our thoughts, words, deeds, and desires. Christians should share nothing common to the heathen culture at large, especially anything that promotes or encourages the same. No ads, video programing, music, books, magazines, fashion, organizations, or associations that promote an un-Christian worldview should be part of a Christian’s lifestyle. If we truly love God, our desires will reflect what God desires. “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.
One look at the current culture immediately points to a lifestyle that habitually speaks of ungodly thoughts, words, and deeds. It has everything to do with the heart that drives the mind toward sinful transgression. It has become so bad that it is hard to find family programming on tv to day that promotes a godly world view. Even Madison Avenue pushed its diabolic poison into our homes via the cable, the internet, and radio. So one can see how difficult it is to separate oneself from the world, the flesh, and the devil. But separate ourselves, we must! “You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” - Deuteronomy 14:1-2. As the old adage goes - we should never give the devil a seat at our table.
Christians should avoid the pitfalls of modern culture like the plague, doing nothing that directly violates the divine will of God. We must keep in mind that because we are of a fallen nature, our natural inclinations and predilections drive us toward the ungodly, but our feet need not slip. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
No, the mere act of peculiar hair-styling, body piercing, tattooing, or other self-mutilation is not sinful - it is the ungodly desire to-express oneself in any manner that is not of the Lord. We must constantly remember the words of the Apostle Paul - “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” - 1 Corinthians 6:12. His words describe refusing to allow oneself to be conquered by or enslaved by any mind-set or behavior that cannot reveal a godly heart. It is the tainted heart that drives us toward ungodly attitudes and actions. We must always keep before us Paul’s admonition - “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31.
We have the strength and the power to defeat the assaults of the evil one and His name is Jesus - “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13. Let us always be sure to keep our eyes on Christ, our mediator, Savior, and Redeemer and we will not succumb to the world, the flesh, and the devil.
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